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TOUCHSTONE HOUSES

Fifty«Six Houses

Planned to Help Solve

The Servant Problem

Published by THE TOUCHSTONE MAGAZINE

1 WEST 47th STREET NEW YORK CITY

PRICE $1.00 ^

side View of

Touchstone House No. 11

Touchstone Houses

George E. Fowler

Director of

Touchstone Architectural Dept.

All Illustrations of Garden
Ornaments and Furniture
Used in this Book are from

The Howard Studios
For further Information
write Touchstone Magazine

FIFTY-SIX HOUSES

PLANNED TO SOLVE

THE SERVANT PROBLEM

The Touchstone Book of Homes

Our I pip Book of

TOUCHSTONE

Copyrighted

House Plans

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M 0 G 0 Z I N E

Mary Fanton Roberts, Editor

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W eathervane
Sketch
drawn hy
Frank ].
Forster
hat appeared
in July
Touchstone

THE TOUCHSTONE

MAGAZINE Date .

I W. 47th St., 'N. Y.

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Touchstone House Plans

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TOUCHSTONE MHGHZINE

Xn every issue of the Touchstone
Magazine are two houses designed
in our own Architectural Depart¬
ment to lighten housework. These
houses are planned for comfort and
beauty^.

Every yearly subscriber to the mag¬
azine is entitled to full working draw¬
ings, complete in every detail, ready
to put in the hands of the builders, of
any Touchstone House.

Subscription Price, $4.00

Whether you intend to build now or later

Decide on the house you want to build
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The TOUCHSTONE MAGAZINE

Mary Fanton Roberts, Editor

1 West 47th Street New York City

Garden
Gatczi'oy
I of

Touchstone
House
X 0 1 7

CONTENTS

PAGE

TOUCHSTONE

TOlUHSTONE

TOT TCH STONE

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No.

Stone House with Slate or Shingle Roof Planned to

Face the South .

Six Room Bungalow of Wood for a Suburban or

Country Lot .

Dutch Colonial House on Old Lines but with

Alodern Floor Plan .

Two Story House of Stucco and Hollow Tile with

Porch Front and Rear . .

House of Tapestry Brick with Slate Roof and Sleep¬
ing Porch .

Bungalow or Summer Camp with Dining Nook in

Kitchen .

Metal Lath or Hollow Tile with Stucco, Designed

for Narrow Lot .

Summer Camp to be Built of Clap-Boards or Logs,

with Novel Porch . . .

Hollow Tile and Concrete House along Spanish

Lines for East or West .

Two-Bedroom House Designed to be Erected at

Lowest Possible Cost .

Servantless House of Metal Lath and Stucco with

Shingle-Thatch Roof .

Country Home of Stone and Half-Timber Construc¬
tion, with Loggia .

Five Room Bungalow with Shingle-1 hatch Roof and

Sleeping Porch .

Colonial House with Hall on One vSide and Ideal

Floor Plan .

Hollow Tile and Concrete with Ploor Plan Well

Designed for Comfort .

Servantless Cottage of Metal Lath and Stucco for

Suburban Lot .

House Without Stairs of Five R.ooms for Narrow

Lot .

Small Country Home Planned for \Voman who does

Her Own Work .

Stucco and Stone House Designed for a Hill Side .
Tapestry Brick House for a Level Lot with Practical

Floor Plan .

House and Garage of Stucco Designed for a Fifty

Foot Lot .

Tavo Story House of Field Stone for a Small Family .
W orkingman’s Cottage Convertable into a Two-

Unit Flouse .

Two-Family Workingman’s House of Metal Lath

and Stucco .

Moutain Bungalow of W ood witli Sleeping Niches

for Extra Guests .

Duplex Studio Home with Kitchenette, Dining

Room and Bath .

Small Shop-Home for Returned Soldiers or Craft

WTrkers .

House with Small Shop in Front for Men who Work
at Home .

1 1

1 6

28.

Page Four

CONTENTS

t'-

TOUCHSTONE

TOUCJISTONE

'lOUCHSTONE

TOUCHSTONE

HOUSE No. 29

HOUSE No. 30

HOUSE No. 31

HOUSE No. 32

HOUSE No. 33

HOUSE No. 34

HOUSE No. 35

HOUSE No. 36

HOUSE No. 37

HOUSE No. 38

HOUSE No. 39

HOUSE No. 40

HOUSE No. 41
HOUSE No. 42

HOUSE No. 43

HOUSE No. 44

HOUSE No. 45

HOUSE No. 46

HOUSE No. 47

HOUSE No. 48

HOUSE No. 49

HOUSE No. 50

HOUSE No. 51

HOUSE No. 52

HOUSE No. 53

HOUSE No. 54

HOUSE No. 55

HOUSE No. 56

I4ctures(iue Stone House of Great Dignity and Ef¬
ficient Floor Plan . .

Servantless Cottage of Five Rooms and Living

I^orch .

Log Cabin for Summer or W inter Living, with Out

Door Living Room .

Cottage for Woman who Prefers to do Without a

Servant .

.Stucco House with Shingle Roof: Economical to

Build and a Good In\'estment .

Picturesque Bungalow on Spanish Lines Suitable

for East or West .

Brick Homestead in Shades of Brown with Brown

Woodwork .

Garden Entrance of House Built of Fieldstone,

Cement and Wood .

Country Home with Large Living Room Designed

for Corner Lot .

Small Stone House with a Sense of Space, Built to

Last for Generations . .

Bung'alow of Stone and Stucco witli Convenient

Floor Plan . . .

Servantless House of WWod with Living and Din¬
ing Room in One .

Cement Studio Home Designed for a Side Hill .
Small Stone Studio for Craftsman or Artist, with

Kitchen and Bath . ♦. . .

House and Garage of Hollow Tile for Fifty Foot

Lot, with Sun room .

Servantless Cottage of WWod with Central Hall and

Large Living Room .

House of Gray Stone for W oman who Does her

Own W^ork .

Hollow Tile and Stucco House with Garage Entered

from Side . .

House of Rough or Pressed Brick for Small Servant¬
less Family .

Cottage of Stone with Cemient Face in which

Colored Tile Could be Set .

House and Garage with Interesting Sunroom and

Sleeping Porch . . .

Bungalow with Large Living Room Designed for

a W^ Oman’s Comfort . . .

Two-Story Servantless House of Stucco and Metal

Lath on Frame .

Bungalow of Stucco and Metal Lath on Frame for

Woman who Does Her Own Work .

Servantless House on Colonial I.ines Designed

for Easy Housework .

Bungalow with Charming Floor Plans, of Stucco on

Lath .

Log Cabin for Summer Camp or Home for Returned

Soldier .

Small Summer Camp of Logs, or Home for Re¬
turned Fighter .

4.6

60
6r
62

Page Five

A merica and the Housing Problem

merica Needs More Small Houses. Every State
in the Union would like a few thousand. Every Amer¬
ican city^ town and village is running short.

It is to help supply this demand that we are publish¬
ing THE TOUCHSTONE BOOK OE HOMES— a
beautiful book with lifty-six wash drawings of Touch¬
stone Houses, with floor plans, with hints for the
garden and a very practical offer tor securing the
blue prints of these Houses free.

Touchstone Houses are designed to meet America’s
immediate need of Small Houses that are Beautiful,
Practical and Economical. The most vital problem
of homemaking and housekeeping are met in the
floor plans of these H omes.

We believe that The Architect must solve the Servant
Problem, and so we design our Touchstone Houses
to make housework easy. At the same time we de¬
sign them so that cultivated men and women of
moderate incomes will enjoy life in them. ^

We plan every house for one big living room, for an
open fire, for cozy bedrooms, convenient bath and a
‘‘miracle kitchen”, that makes housework easy.

The Touchstone Architectural Department gives ad¬
vice to people using Touchstone House plans. The
blue prints of Touchstone House plans are sent out
ready to put into the builders’ hands.

America’s great need today is more homes. THE
TOUCHSTONE has fifty-six different kinds of
beautiful, practical designs ready to help meet this need.

Stone House with Slate or Shingle Roof Planned to Face the South

Touchstone House No, i

0'6>12'

f 1

DINING ROOM

■ I

O tone house of
great dignity plan¬
ned to face the south,
with a sun room and
sleeping deck above
it. The plan is con¬
venient the construc¬
tion permanent and
silhouette picture¬
sque. It could be
built in pressed or tapestry brick
or concrete if preferred. The
kitchen has been arranged' so
that work can be done easily by the
mistress of the house. There are
two bedrooms in addition to the
large master’s room on the second
floor, with abundance of closets and
a bath. Woodwork on the outside of
the house should be stained instead
of painted and a terrace could ex¬
tend from the end of the dining
room across the front of the house
to the end of the sun room. Blue
prints ready to put into hands of
builder show four elevations, first and
second floor plans, basement and sheet
of details. Whoever builds this or
any other house in the book is entitled
to architectural department service.

Page Seven

Six Room Bungalow of Wood for a Suburban or County Lot

Touchstone House No. 2

A house without stairs to be built in the
suburbs or out in the country. Floor plan is
divided into three distinct sections to facilitate
housework and isolate bedrooms from kitchen
and living rooms. Each room is well ven¬
tilated. Closets are aired and lighted by
windows, kitchen is completely equipped and
working furniture arranged for the greatest
ease of house work. The front
porch could be enclosed in glass for
winter sun room. Kitchen porch
could be enlarged for outdoor din¬
ing room if desired. Bungalow is
made of clapboards for the house
is designed to be constructed as in¬
expensively as possible, but shingles
could be used instead if preferred.
By converting the maid’s room into
a den for a boy or girl, this house
would make a delightful summer
camp for a family of three. It then could be entered directly
through the kitchen doorway thus preventing tracking of clean
swept rooms by muddy or wet shoes and clothing. Vine planting
should l3e done on lattice against the house to prevent decay.

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Page Eight

Dutch Colonial House on Old Lines but with Modern Floor Plan

Touchstone House No. j

his small servantless
house built on Dutch
Colonial lines especially
suitable for erec¬
tion in the East.

OTICEYAB

Kitchen is so arranged that work
can be efficiently done and the
tradesman entrance to it is through
a lovely vine clad arbor. Service
yard to be enclosed in lattice. Per¬
gola can be extended to end of
porch if wanted which would give
a fine out door living room. The
large hallway with the wide doors
opening on either side into dining
room and living room converts the
three practically into one room.
This sense of space niay be further
increased by the use of one dec¬
orative scheme throughout the first
floor.

The interior is modern in ever}^
respect. There is sunlight in the
kitchen as well as in the living
room. Floors are of hard wood;
furniture to be of the simplest.
Rooms have been condensed yet
give an effect of space. Hall runs
directly through as in early models.
House should be painted white
with green shutters.

Page Nine

Two Story House of Stucco and Hollow Tile with Porch in Front and Rear

Touchstone House No. 4

This house is of fire-proof construction and
has a porch both front and rear. Living and
dining room can be practically one by leaving
large arch-way in between. This could be

converted into a servantless house by omitting
the bath room out of the maid’s room thus
turning it into one large room for a member
of the family. Back porch could be convert¬
ed into a service yard if desired.

Page Ten

House of Tapestry Brick with Slate Roof and Sleeping Porch

Touchstone House No. 5

<=> ■

developed in stone or ce¬
ment if preferred for lines
are equally good for any
permanent material. Roof
could be built of shingles,
asbestos, slate or tile. Such
a house should be built to
last generations, therefore,
only the best class plumb¬
ing and heating systems
should be installed. Grace
has been obtained for this
dignified substantial house
by recessed doorway and
use of arch in porch.

ouse of pressed or
tapestry brick. Roof of
tile or shingles. Closet
in every room, plumbing
of kitchen and bath cen¬
tered. Sleeping porch
entered from two bed¬
rooms. Fireplace in nook
off sitting room with seats
and book shelves on either
side. Porch be enclosed
if desired. Roof slightly
rolled over one of the
windows to give graceful
line. This house could be

Page Eleven

Bungalow or Summer Camp with Dining Nook in Kitchen

Touchstone House No. 6

dining nook just out of

the kitchen, planned for economical construction. Fire¬
place is in the corner of the living room. A passage
way gives seclusion to the bedrooms. Living and dining

room are in one. Windows so placed
in wall that furniture can be arranged
to best advantage. Flower boxes can
be placed on porch rail if wanted.
House can be painted white with green
roof or in shades of gray. If the
owner wished, the floor of the porch
could be set with soft colored tiles to
carry out the color scheme of the
roof. The inside, however, should
be decorated in bright tones giving a
sense of cheer and sunlight. If this
house were built in the East, wood¬
bine or clematis would grow rapidly
if the soil were cultivated properly.
If vines are planted,
train them on a lat¬
tice separate from
but close to the house
in order Ito (prevent
wood decay. Path
could be of gravel,
set with brick ; and
care taken of rain
seepage.

Page Twelve

Metal Lath or Hollow Tile with Stucco, Designed for Narrow Lot

Touchstone House No. 7

This house was designed to be
erected on a narrow lot. Though
simple in outline it looks homelike
because of the pergola porch
and presence of vines which
should be trained on lattice.
Pergola porch could be enclosed
in glass for winter sunroom if
wanted. There are three bed¬
rooms upstairs and a sleeping
porch. The pergola porch at
the back could be decked over
to form another sleeping porch.
Arrangement of rooms so con¬
venient that mistress of house
could do without a servant.
This is. distinctly a friendly
house and one that would be at
home in the heart of a village,
the soft stucco tones and har¬
monious roofline blending with
any type of neighboring struc¬
ture.

TOXC W ■

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Slimmer Camp to Be Built of Clapboards or Logs, with Novel Porch

Touchstone House No. 8

f 1
1 f

.S'!

^J- his house though shown of clap¬
boards would be more attractive if
constructed of logs. The rooms are

large for a camp yet so arranged that no space
is lost nor unnecessary walls used to add to expense.
Bedrooms and bath completely separated from the
rest of the house which assures quiet. There is a
large fireplace in one end of the living room with seats
at each side. Corner of the living room is cut ofif and
the columns of the porch so arranged that an un¬
obstructed view can be had from the room. By build¬
ing the chimney on outside of house there is a chance
for an outdoor fireplace which would form a most
attractive and unusual feature. If house is made of
clapboard's the columns of porch should be rough saw¬
ed or adzed. If of logs then columns must be of logs.
If this house is used as winter quarters as well, heat¬
ing plant can be installed in basement. If it is used
only as summer camp and most economical construc¬
tion demanded, then, walls separating
rooms can be built up to within three
feet of ceiling. This is often done in
summer camps for it gives greater
ventilation and saves cost of building.

Hollow Tile and Concrete House Along Spanish Lines, for East or West

Touchstone House No. 9

oderate size house with the romantic beauty of
the old California Spanish house with comfort of
the best new domestic architecture. The repeating
of the arch over the windows and the
curving of the roof are particularly in¬
teresting. The arrangement of the
k'itchen and dining room, occupying one
end and with the living room jutting out
from the dining room gives a condensed
working scheme as well as a pleasing
vista upon entering the hall. Kitchen is
well ventilated. The three bedrooms and
bath are separated from the rest of the house to
give seclusion. Windows should be indented as
shown on blue prints of elevation. Blue prints also
show that entire face of end of house should be
roughly stipled to give interesting texture. Chimney should
be built as shown in drawing for that is characteristic of the
vSpanish architecture. Porch can be roofed instead of built
in pergola effect as shown. Big leafed vines such as grape
should be chosen to grow over porch. A suggestion sketch
of garden accompanies blue prints, if requested. This house
is particularly interesting if developed in detail. It has been
most carefully worked out according to Spanish type of archi¬

tecture. With the
blue prints may be
had any advice
from the architect¬
ural and interior
decorating depart¬
ments as to con¬
struction, heating
plants, paints,
varnishes and
furnishings.

Page Fifteen

Two-Bedroom House Designed to Be Erected at Lowest Possible Cost

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■niiiiinni

Touchstone House No. lo

servantless house to be built at the least possible cost consistent
with comfort. The plan is the simplest yet is complete. Entrance is
direct into living room from porch. Living and dining room are prac¬
tically one which gives the house a sense of spacious¬
ness not generally seen on so small a plan. The two
bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen are entered through a
small hall which separates them from the body of the
house and thus gives them quiet and seclusion. Kitchen
is planned to allow the most efficient placing of range,
dresser, sink and table. Sink is on the outside of
room beneath a group of windows and range in an
inner wall, as is advised by kitchen experts. There
is a generous pantry well equipped with shelves and
the ice box is to be kept in this room. There is also
a small service porch. One great advantage in having
the sink and drainboard close to the dining room door
is that the woman who does her own work will not
have to carry the dishes so far in clearing the table.
This could be even more facilitated by the use of a small serving table
on wheels on which the soiled dishes of each course could be piled and
wheeled to the drainboard, thus making one trip instead of many.
Windows have been so placed as to secure the utmost sunshine and air circulation. At night the
door could be closed and locked leading from hall into the living room, and, by leaving the doors
of bedrooms and bath open a circulation at night could be obtained for the sleepers.

•

TORCH

1 1

1 \6-zo'

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Page Sixteen

Servantless House of Metal Lath a»d Stucco with Shingle-Thatch Roof

Touchstone House No. ii

A practical, servantless house in which the work can be done
with ease and in comfort. The living and the dining room
are practically thrown into one, for the hall that separates them
is not closed away by doors. A feature of living room is the
bay window with seats in it just opposite the fireplace. Kitchen
is well equipped for efficient doing of work. One entire end
is devoted to sink and dressers. Dishes can be washed and put
away with ease and no extra steps. This room should be fin¬
ished with bright rich colors, for since the mistress does' her

own work she will spend
much time in this room and
therefore it should be as
cheerful and beautiful as is
possible to make it. There is
a service porch for the con¬
venience of the tradesmen, and the stairway to the furnace and
laundry leads out from the kitchen. Roof should be made of
shingles rolled slightly at edges, or, better still, of shingle thatch.
Sharp corners of roof are cut back to give additional grace. Roof
over bay window curved slightly for same purpose. Whole roof
is practically designed for shingle thatch and any other type of
roof would lessen the attractiveness of this charming little cot¬
tage.

Page Seventeen

Country Home of Stone and Half-Timber Construction, with Loggia

Touchstone House No. 12

In this house the servants working and
living quarters have been segregated in
most satisfactory manner. Itut one door
separates their wing from the rest of the
house, yet the maid wha answers the bell
does not have far to go to it. Stairway
leads directly up from the living room and
the archways on either side the hreplace
lead to dining room and library. A feature
of this house is the position and design of
the fireplace. By centralizing the fireplace
it becomes the axis around which are group¬
ed the main rooms of the first floor, giving
each room a fireplace of its own and also a
chance for a wall fountain in the loggia.
Arches leading to the sun room are directlv
opposite the stairway. Upstairs are four

Tagc Eighteen

bedrooms, two baths, a sewing room and
large sleeping porch. Owners room has
])rivate bath and a fireplace. If additional
bath is recjuired then the room indicated as
sewing room could be converted into a bath.
Servant problem can never be really solved
without the aid of the architect ; for in his
hands lies the power to arrange rooms so
scientifically that housework becomes easy.
Blue prints of this house show four eleva¬
tions, first and second floor plans, basement
and details of fireplace construction.
Rooms are exceptionally well planned for
beauty and comfort. House so substantial¬
ly built that it would last generations.

Five-Room Stone Bungalow with Shingle-Thatch Roof and Sleeping Porch

Touchstone House No. is

Bungalow of stone designed to get a good roof
line. Could be built of hollow tile or brick
where stone is scarce. Floor plan condensed in
order to get rooms so arranged that house work
becomes easy. Living and dining room are
practically one, a plan always good in a small
house. Kitchen complete and pleasant to work
in. Dresser for dishes is near the dining room to
lessen number of steps needed to set the table.
Shelves of pantry to go from floor to ceiling ex¬
cept where ice box stands. Range is on inner
wall and sink beneath windows. Edge of roof
should be rolled a little to soften it. Chimney
flues are of dift'erent heights just to add a note
of informality. House should be fitted into the
ground so that it looks as though it rises from it
and a rock garden planted about it. Be,st situa¬
tion for this house wouUl be up on crest of gentle
hill, witli stones grouped about it in natural
position. Roof rolled at edges, of shingle thatch.
Full information about laying of shingle thatch
roof given upon request. Such roof is practical
as well as picturesque. Can be colored by use of
stain, which should be fire-resisting. Stones can

be laid in even or uneven courses using
dark or light cement for joints. If stones
are grey, all exposed woodwork should be
stained grey or green ; if red or brown pre¬
dominates in the stone, the exposed wood¬
work should be stained brown. The entire
hottse could be kept in tones of stone-grey
or grey-green to advantage. Blue prints
show four elevations, floor plans and de¬
tails. Heating plant and laundry in base¬
ment. Full information given on request.

Colonial House with Hall on One Side and Ideal Floor Plan

rff

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111

Touchstone House No. 14

serves to keep out odors of cooking. Cellar door
is near the kitchen. Upstairs are four bedrooms,
small sewing room and bath besides the maid’s room
and bath. If the mistress of the house wishes to do
her own work, the maid’s bath could be omitted and
a large bedroom gained. Deck of sunroom forms
excellent place for sunning blankets or could be
converted into small roof garden to good effect.
House should be furnished with Colonial furniture.
Old copies can now be had faithfully reproduced at
moderate cost.

through the center as shown in Touchstone House
No. 3. Position of hall gives a living room at the
right, with a dining room opening from it. Sun
room can be omitted or converted into small con¬
servatory. Kitchen has been planned for efficient
working. It has its own service porch. Pantry
is between kitchen and dining room which is not
only convenient as far as work is concerned but

Page Tzventy

Hollow Tile and Concrete House with Floor Plan Well Designed for Comfort

Touchstone House No. 17

ira®i

his house is a bungalow as far as completeness of first
floor plan is concerned, but roof was raised to get better
lines which made room for a bedroom, bath and storage
room in the second story. A novel feature is position of
hall, which has been introduced in such a way that it not
only leads directly to the living room, but through its
large group of windows permits light to flood into the
dining room. Large glass doors or portieres could be

This hall also forms

glass

hung between dining room and hall.

normal passageway into
kitchen and main body of
house, where bedrooms and
bath have been placed. Thus
three distinct divisions of
house have been created.
Kitchen and maid’s room
completely separated from
rest of house. Roof should
be shingle thatch if possible.
Shingles' should be stained
with weather proof materials.

Paqe Tiuenty-One

Servantless Cottage of Metal Lath and Stucco for Suburban Lot

Touchstone House No. ifi

wo-room bungalow for woman who prefer
a house without stairs. The living and dining
rooms are separated and two bedrooms given
quietness by placing them on opposite side of
hall from living room. Bathroom and kitchen
centered to save cost of plumbing. Each room
is provided with closets and large windows'.

There is a coat closet near the front door and
place for a seat at the end of the porch. There
is a storage pantry near the kitchen and a service
porch. House is of shingles which could be
bitten a lovely soft gray if built down on the
sand dunes or stained brown if built among the
trees. Roof could be mossy green if built inland.
Chimney could be of brick or of stone according
to which material was most convenient.

Page Twenty-Tivo

House without Stairs of Five Rooms, for Narrow Lot

Touchstone House No. i6

should be informal, preferably of local
material. Vines should be grown on lat¬
tice close to but separated from the house
to prevent wood decay. Layout for gar¬
den and information as to planting will
be given upon request.

A two-bedroom house with living ami dining room
in one, to be built of metal lath or hollow tile and
stucco. To give the best line possible in a little bouse,
the roof has been brought down over a small porch
thus gaining breadth and dignity. Kitchen is well
supplied with dressers. Ice box is in the pantry. Stair¬
way has been placed in back of hall to save cost of
construction, to give picturesque feature and form con¬
venient artery from kitchen to the front door. Up¬
stairs are two bedrooms, a hall and a small sewing
room that could be connected with one of the bed¬
rooms and thus form a recess or child’s sleeping room.

1 dumbing of kitchen and bathroom centered to save
the cost of building. Cottage should be tinted a light
grey by use of acids if house is built on seashore, and '
stained brown with green roof if built in the woods. A
small house should be as inconspicuous as possible,
all contrasts are to be avoided. Blue prints show four
elevations, floor plans and details. Heating plant and
laundry are to be located in basement if house is de-
^igned as winter quarters. The chimneys may be made
of brick or stone or cement according to the material
which is most accessible. There is a chance for outdoor
fireplace in back of chimney that has opening in living
room. Pergola awning could be constructed over out¬
door fireplace if desired. All planting about the house

Page Tzeenty-Three

Small County House Planned for Woman Who Does Her Own House Work

Touchstone House No. i8

Servantless house of one story with interesting treat¬
ment of dining, living room and porch. Every house
should have a garden but often lot is too small for a large
one. This plan gives the garden vista across diagonally,
which increases its apparent size. On entering the foyer

hall view is had through glass
doors leading to porch, out to gar¬
den, across lawn to pergola at far
corner. To left of foyer is hall¬
way leading to two bedrooms and
kitchen. A fireplace is in living
room for every house should have
an open fire. Heating plant, is in
basement. House to be budt of
shingles or clapboards, painted or
stained as builder prefers. Sketch
shows that the garden at the back
of house is raised a trifle above the
front. This not only gives impor¬
tance to the more formal portion
but permits the use of grass steps
which are always picturesque.
Complete blue prints ready to put
into the hands of the builder show
details of construction. Sugges¬
tions for garden are sent upon re¬
quest. Help also will be given as
to the best paints, varnishes, heat¬
ing plants, plumbing, in fact every¬
thing that goes into the building
are, if asked for, furnished with
the house.

Page Twenty-Four

Stucco and Stone House Designed for a Side Hill

Touchstone House No. ig

Many of the choicest suburban
lots are upon a hillside and this
house of stucco and stone was
designed especially for such a
situation. However it would
look just as well on a level lot.
The foundation of field stone
should be built up irregularly
from the ground and the stucco
of the house walls should also
join the stone irregularly. Thus
the house would seem to grow
out of the ground. The two
bedrooms and bath are separated
from main house by hall which
gives seclusion. Dining room
and living room could be thrown
into one by omitting partitions.
Kitchen complete in every de¬
tail. Passageway leads to the
maid’s room so she will not
have to enter directly from
kitchen. Roof is of shingles.
This should be stained moss

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green if stones are
brown and grey if
stonework is grey.
If modern rich color
is required, it can be
introduced by row of
tile about the win¬
dows and along the
top of stone retaining
wall.

Page Twenty-Five

Tapestry Brick House for a Level Lot with Practical Floor Plan

'J'ouchstone House No. 20

separated by pantry. Breakfast room close to
dining room. The maid’s porch, at front of
house, balances design of silhouette. Brick can
be rough or pressed, in autumn shades of bronzes

and reds, or cream color.
Suggestions for laying of
bonds given with set of
plans if requested. All
possible help to prospective
builder given if needed.
Roof of wood, asbestos,
composition, slate or tile.

, o*

wo story house of brick
for a level lot. Entrance
floor should be made of
same brick as house or
(lull red or green square
tiles. Working and living
sections of house radiate
from a central hall. Porch
to be enclosed for winter
sunroom if desired. Maid’s
suite in a wing to itself.
Kitchen and dining room

Page Twenty-.Six

House and Garage of Stucco Designed for a Fifty Foot Lot

Touchstone House No. 21

JL Ian for a house and garage of stucco to be erected on
fifty foot lot. Good roof line is gained by setting
garage far back. Driver of car can enter house through
kitchen porch. First floor shows living room with fire¬
place, dining room and
dining porch which cati be
enclosed or not as you de¬
sire. LTpstairs are three
bedrooms and sleeping

porch besides the
bath. Third story is
large attic. House de¬
signed for servantless
one. but maid
could use third
storv.

Page Ttventy-Seven

Two-Story House of Field Stone for a Small Family

Small servantless house of stone. Beautiful,
durable and inexpensive in a region where
stone is abundant. ' Entrance is through a
charmingly hooded doorway. At right is
stairway which leads to second story. Living
room and dining room in one with large fire¬
place. Pantry between kitchen and dining
room. Range using central chimney. Icebox
in corner nearest entry. Coat closet in hall.
Upstairs are three bedrooms, bath and sleep¬
ing porch. Roof has been lifted in graceful
curve over windows to break severity.
House would be much more attractive if roof

was of shingle thatch. If stones of house
show predominating tones of grey, roof and
all exposed woodwork could be stained grey.
If stone shows reddish tones roof should be
stained to match. Gateway to kitchen to be
made according to design, that is, as an in¬
tegral part of the house with a wall leading
^ out from it and enclosing a garden. This
"gives greater apparent size as well as an in-
, teresting note of detail. Windows are placed
for external symmetry and to give wall space
within for best airrangement of furniture.
Terrace of flat flagstones could be made at the
back along line of kitchen to edge of porch.

Page Twenty-Eight

Workingman’s Cottage Convertable into a Two Unit-House

Touchstone House No.

orking man’s cottage, Dutch Colonial in
type, easily convertable into a two-unit house
by joining to the end. This brings kitchen
plumbing together, which saves cost of con¬
struction. Upstairs are two bedrooms and a
bath. Bath is over kitchen which is economical
point in building. Kitchen unusually large
for so small a house, but gives chance for
breakfast table if desired. Service entry at the
back of the house. This house should be paint¬

ed white with green roof, green lattice over
door and green shutters if desired. By convert¬
ing this house into a two unit house the appear¬
ance of it would be greatly improved because
it was designed primarily for a double house.
As it now stands it would look too tall for its
base if it were not for the skillful sweep of the
roof. It should be made of shingles, though if
expense be a vital matter it could be construct¬
ed of clapboards. Laundry could be located
in basement, if desired, and this room used as

a breakfast nook,
or even as a large
storage pantry if
this was necessary.
It would also
make a convenient
washup for the
working men. Blue
prints are ready to
put into the hands
of the builder.
Consult the archi¬
tect as to materials

Page Twenty-Nine

Two-Family Workingman’s House of Metal Lath and Stucco

Touchstone House No, 24

metal lath and stucco. Chimneys and
closets arranged in the center of the house
so that they form a sound proof wall. Sit¬
ting rooms placed as far apart as possible.
Entrance to the porch can be concealed
with planting of evergreens. Wall between
two front porches adds to privacy. Stucco
should be stained slightly and roof shingled

mossy green or peacock blue. Over each
unit is a place for storage. Though small
the house is complete and could be built at
slight cost. By setting such a house in dif¬
ferent ways on a lot, a whole street of them
could be made without a monotonous result.
A two-family house is an economical form
of construction, and in this case, real
privacy is gained by position of porches.
Group of evergreens between two porches
would more completely shut houses apart.

Page Thirty

Mountain Bungalow of Wood with Sleeping Niches for Extra Guests

Touchstone House No.

Bungalow for a summer camp to be built at lowest
possible cost. Can be m^ade of clapboard or shingles.
Would look much better built of logs. Feature of
the house is living room with three sides facing dif¬
ferent directions in order to get full benefit of view.
On each side of living room is a nook large enough
for a couch-bed. Could be closed with curtains
during the day or, when supplied with pillows form
decorative color scheme of the room. Windows in
each nook provide cross-ventilation. Porch large
enough for extra cots if desired. Bedroom and
bathroom separated from main rooms by small hall.
Kitchen designed for easy working. Large storage
room for extra supplies. If built of logs this house
would make cozy appearance. Logs should be
peeled and well-seasoned before using. The two
sides of the logs which come together should be
adzed to make tighter joint. Caulking should be of
cement instead of clay. Blue prints show four
elevations, floor plans and sheet of details.

Page Thirty-One

Duplex Studio-Home with Kitchenette Dining Nook and Bath

Touchstone House No. 26

D uplex studio with great north light. Kitchenette back
of fireplace and dining nook. Bedroom and bath reached
by a stairway leading out of studio which gives picture¬
sque design to the room. Porch could be extended length

of house if desired and
window beneath balcony
converted into a door. This
would form pleasant home
for any craftworker. The
building is so simple that
with the help of a set of
blue prints this studio
could be constructed with
almost no help from pro¬
fessionals. If desired as a
permanent all-year home,
heating plant could be in¬
stalled in basement. The
fireplace is sufficient for
summer and fall months.
Would be most attractive

70XCH*

if brilliant color were introduced on the outside as well
as inside the house. This studio could be built of
shingles or clapboards, it could even be developed in
stucco or metal lath. Interior could be finished with
building board if expense be an item of consideration.
Fireplace could be of stone, brick or bright tile.

Page T h irty- Tu'_o

Touchstone Shop-Home No. sy

Shop-home designed with
special view to need of
returned soldiers disabled
in the war. Most inex¬
pensive type of construc¬
tion. Designed for nar¬
row lot. Chance for drive¬
way at one side, by which
material such as lumber,
could be taken to the shop
situated at back of house.
Living and dining room in
one. If shop is not wanted,
it could be converted into a
dining room. The same
number of rooms if built
on one floor would be much
more expensive. The bed¬
rooms were placed above
living rooms in order to
save cost of building. A
more interesting roofline is
gained by lifting peak, thus
giving large storage place.

House with Small Shop in Front for Men Who Work at Home

Touchstone Shop-Home No. 28

A shop-home for returned soldier or any
man who works at home. Shop at front of
house with large windows in which wares
could be displayed. Could be built near a
highway and serve as florist shop. Weavers,
basket-makers, potters, or in fact any craft-
workers would find this a practical, inex¬
pensive house. Shop could be converted into
an office or living room as desired. If this
house be made of shingles they could be
stained brown or bitten with acids to a soft
gray. There is a store room reached by a nar¬
row stairway and coat closet by the vestibule
door. Economical construction was the ideal
in designing this house. Interior fumishings
should be few as possible, good in quality,
simple in design. All hangings should be
washable with bright, cheerful colors every¬
where. With the house plans we furnish ad¬
vice on all details of exterior and interior of
the house to whoever cares to ask for it.
Though small this house has an atmosphere of
home which could be enhanced by planting
of flowers about its base and vines over the
porch.

»z. - o

Picturesque Stone House of Great Dignity and Efficient Floor Plan

Touchstone House No. 2g

vate bath and
dressing room.
Large fireplace
in living room
and chimney of
kitchen g i v e
balance to house
design. Rooms
large,- s u n n y
well ventilated,
giving sense of
space and home
comfort. Floor
plan condensed
and practical in
extreme.

I~I o u s e of
stone with
broad base and
graceful roof¬
lines. Floor
plan of great
practicality. No
waste spaces.
Every bedroom
supplied with
closets. Owner’s
room with pri-

Page Thirty-Five

Servantless Cottage of Five Rooms and Living Porch

Touchstone House No. sqr

Small stucco cottage furnishing maximum of
comfort and beauty for minimum of price.
Recessed entrance leads to hall, on right of which
is living room supplied with corner fireplace.
Graceful sweep of roof gained by adding sun-
porch at rear of house. Hooded entrance adds

notes of interest and design. There are two
bedrooms upstairs, and a bath over kitchen which
saves cost of plumbing. Large closets in each
bedroom and a coat closet in front hall by the
stairway. Kitchen entrance is through side door
into rear hall as well as through a service porch
on garden side.

Page Thirty-Six

Log Cabin for Summer or Winter Living with Out Door Living Room

ungalow of peeled logs for summer
or winter living. Large porch serves
as outdoor living room. Kitchen at
left with bath nearby to save cost of
construction and plumbing. Small
hallway leads to bedrooms at rear of
house which gives seclusion so much
needed for informal house of this
type. House should be given stone
or concrete foundation to prevent de¬
cay of logs. Sides of logs should be
adzed where they come together and
chinking done
with clay or
concrete. One
difficulty in de- T
signing a log
cabin is to get
short enough
logs. Hence
front of living
room was made
octagonal.

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Space between
windows also
was carefully
considered. In¬
terior of this
house should
show exposed
logs, oiled or
varnished.
Wrought - iron
fixtures and
rustic furniture
should be used
with bright col¬
or in hangings.

•TOXCH

Ju-o'b iX'OT

Page Thirty-Seven

Cottage For Woman Who Prefers to Do without a Servant

S ummer camp of most inexpensive form of
construction. Suitable also for village home the
year round. To be heated from basement. Two
bedrooms on the first floor, so upper part of
house could be closed away, if desired. Fire¬

place with stone chimney in living room.. Porch
across the entire front of house. Could be built
of clapboards. If built in the woods, house
should be given coat of brown stain which pre¬
serves wood and is partly fireproof. If built on
beach, house should be bitten grey with acid.
Full information upon request.

Stucco House with Shingle Roof, Economical to Build and a Good Investment

Touchstone House No. 33

Stucco on wire, metal lath,
frame construction, forms an eco¬
nomical yet practical building.
Roof of shingles or asbestos. Ser¬
vantless house with fine floor plans.
Sunroom at end of living room.
Terrace at back to be extended to
end of sunroom. Kitchen supplied
with breakfast nook which saves

many steps for the housewife.
Pantry equipped with sink and
many shelves between dining room
and kitchen. Upstairs three bed¬
rooms with sleeping porch, bath
and sewing room. Lattice over
front door gives chance for vines.
Practical floor plans lessen need
of maid. Rooms arranged to make
housework easy.

Page Thirty-Nine

Picturesque Bungalow on Spanish Lines Suitable for East or West

Touchstone House No. 34

JlJ ungalow of hollow tile with tile roof. Living, working and
sleeping sections of house divided for sake of convenience and
privacy. Fireplace in corner of living room with flue for

kitchen range. Service porch for kitchen.
Terrace to be extended to form outdoor
living room and furnished with painted
furniture, fountain and trees in jars. Floor
should be of hardwood, furniture of the

simplest and
all hangings
of rich bright
colors. Color
also can be
introduced on
outside of
house to best
advantag e .
R a i.ling 0 f
porch to be
of iron or
wood. Top
o f chimney
as illustrated
to have it
Spanish type.

Page Forty

Brick Homestead in Shades of Brown v/ith Brown Woodwork

Touchstone House No. 35

-ouse of pressed or tapestry
brick. Back elevation interesting
as the front. Terrace at the back
forms outdoor living room. Pan¬
try separates kitchen and dining
room. Stairway to furnace and
laundry leads out of kitchen. Up¬
stairs three bedrooms, sewing
room, sleeping porch and bath be¬

sides the maid’s room. If brick are
in shades of autumn browns then
the woodwork should be stained
same brown. Roof can be of wood
shingles stained brown or green or
it could be made of slate. This
house has been built of stone work¬
ed out to advantage. Blue prints
are ready to put in hands of builder.

Page Forty-One

Garden Entrance of House Built of Fieldstone, Cement and Wood

Touchstone House No. 36

ing

ture and color. De¬
signed to satisfy
American desire for
seclusion through use
of walled garden.
Kitchen with break¬
fast nook which

serves as dining room
for maid, if desired.
Upstairs are three
bedrooms and bath
besides maid’s room
and her bath separ¬
ated from the main
house by a back hall.
Garden desijgns \can
be provided as w'ell
as blue prints of this
house, And free in¬
formation given on
any detail of building
construction or in¬
terior decorating.

K]) EOT li.
j-f' rr

Page Forty-Tu'o

Country Home, Designed for a Corner Lot: Interesting Roof Line

Touchstone House No.sj

country home designed to face the east or
to be built on a corner lot. Metal lath and
stucco, tinted, with a roof of shingle or tile.
Wings give perfect ventilation and in¬
crease the apparent size of the house.
Dining nook with large group of win¬

dows assures sunlight.
Kitchen practical in
every detail. Maid’s
quarters separate
from rest of house.
Living room with
large bay and many
windows to face the
garden. Fireplace at
opposite end of room.

Detail of finish inside
and outside the house,
suggestions for furn¬
ishing and color
schemes igiven upon
request. Information
about heating plants,
])lumbing, roofing,
stains, paints, varnish
will be given for the
asking.

Page Forty-Three

Small Stone House with a Sense of Space, Built tc Last for Generations

Touchstone House No. 38

S tone house, beautiful in color, for a
woman who prefers to do her own house¬
work. Floor plans show arrangement of
rooms that could not be improved upon for
convenience of work. Entrance through a
picturesque doorway. Terrace to be ex¬
tended to end of dining room if desired.

Kitchen planned for efficient working.
Sink beneath windows. Range on inner
wall. Upstairs are two bedrooms and bath
besides a sewing room and large storage
space. All exposed woodwork should be
stained instead of painted.

Page Forty-Four

Bungalow of Stone and Stucco with Convenient Floor Plan

Touchstone House No. 39

OTUCCO in this house should be toned to harmonize
with stone. By buttressing the chimney end and the piers
of the facade a sense of substance is gained as well as
charm of line. Roof can be made of wood or asbestos
shingles as desired. All ex¬
posed woodwork should be
stained. Living, dining and
sleeping portions of rooms segre¬
gated. Great sense of space is
gained by position of living and
dining room and cheerfulness
achieved by large groups of win¬

dows which let in sun and
give view of garden, in the
rear. Study could be con¬

verted into den or one wall omitted
and space included with bedroom.

Forty-Five

Servantless House of Wood with Living and Dining Room in One

Tovchstonc House No. 40

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stairs. This plan had a woman’s
comfort in mind. Housework can
be easily done. Because house is
to be built as inexpensively as pos¬
sible stairway is not a decorative
feature, but goes directly up to sec¬
ond story from back of hall, thus
placing it near kitchen which makes
it handy for mistress of house.
These floor plans give opportunity
for practical living. The rooms
are large and provide vistas of
home beauty. It may be built of
shingles or clapboards stained with
fire-resisting material. House is
practically complete in first floor.

two-story servantless house
planned for easy housework so

first floor is com-
Second floor of two

arranged that
plete in itself,
bedrooms and sewing room can be
closed away for winter. IMany
women prefer bedroom on ground
floor in order to save climbing

Pfl.CC Forty-Six

Cement Studio-Home Designed for a Side Hill

Touchstone House No. 41

from kitchen entrance^ Group of windows in dining and living room
opposite fireplace. Upstairs are two bedrooms and bath and large
storage room. Roof may be of shingles, asbestos or composition. Walls

to be tinted with sun and water-proof color.
Kitchen features scientifically planned to make
housework easy. Floors hardwood. Heating
plant and laundry in basement. Layout of
rooms arranged for interesting placing of
furniture and to save steps. Information can
be obtained directlv from the architect on all

• r)T0TA(3Tl •

details of building construction in this house.

Otucco house with large studio and nook for
storing of canvases to be built on a side hill.

Could be adapted to level lot by making studio
floor on same level with living room. Plan
shows studio a few steps down. Living room
and studio each given large fireplace. Kitchen
planned by expert in housework. Sink be¬
neath windows. Dresser for dishes at left of
sink. Range on inner wall. T.arge storage
closet. Steps into laundry and furnace room

Page Forfy-Sci’cii

Small Stone Studio for Craftsman or Artist with Kitchen and Bath

Touchstone House No. 42

S tone studio with front of stucco. Porch three steps be¬
low entrance to give interesting xiesign. Colored tile can
be set about doorway. Seats built in at each end of porch.
Evergreen trees in bright colored plant jars could be set
in porch. Roof lifts gently over entrance arch. Pillars

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of front buttressed to add dignity and
give sense of permanent strength.
One buttress to be converted into
stone seat. Garden wall joins the
other buttress in which is a wall
fountain. A great window in the
north. Opposite large fireplace with
flagstone hearth is alcove with
kitchenette on one side and bath on
other. Sleeping quarters are on
balcony above this alcove. House
to be heated in winter with furnace.
Modern vogue for color seen in pea¬
cock blue of rcK>f and birdhouse.
Blue prints show construction of bal¬
cony and stair leading to it. House
should be fitted into natural contours
of hill with existing boulders left as
undisturbed as possible. If storage
or heating basement is excavated
stones uncovered by excavation could
be used for sidewalls. Stones can be
laid with light or dark joints. House
would look best in tones of grey, roof
being given same tint as predominates
in stones, thus brilliant color used in
tile on face of house would show to
better advantage..

Page Forty-Eight

House and Garage of Hollow Tile for Fifty-Foot Lot with Sun Room

Touchstone House No. 43

ouse of hollow tile designed for a fifty foot lot. Length
or roof is gained by bringing it down over garage. Garage
is separated from main house by two doors, one leading

into an entry which
opens to basement and
the other into the hall.
Thus no odor of gaso-

oor.

line can reach the house.

At end of living room
is sunroom. Above
which is sleeping porch.

Dining room is at end
of hall. It is separated
from kitchen by pantry.

K,iltchen fully supplied
with dressers. Coat

closets in back hall. Dresser for dining room dishes in one
end of pantry. Upstairs four bedrooms and bath well supplied
with closets and ventilated by cross draughts.

Fl OOP

Page Forty-Nine

27- e

Servantless Cottage of Wood with Central Hall and Large Living Room

Touchstone House No. 44

Simple inexpensive servantless house that contains
every modern comfort. Smallest possible house
that could be built and gain any degree of beauty.
To be made of shingles or clapboards or even of
metal lath and stucco. On first floor is a large
living room with fireplace on one side of the hall
with dining room and kitchen on other side. Coat

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Page Fifty

closet is in vestibule. Doorway at back
permits view of garden from hall.
Upstairs are two bedrooms. The kitchen
should be in bright light colors. It has
windows arranged to secure a good ven¬
tilation. Though small this house does
not appear so because its lines are good
and distinction has been given through
placing of chimney and overhang of bed¬
rooms.

House of Gray Stone for Woman Who Does Her Own Work

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on one side of hall has large hreplace.
Dining room and kitchen across the had.
Kitchen planned for efihciency. No
useless wearying steps need be taken
preparing meals. Dish closet near sink.
Upstairs are three bedrooms and bath
in addition to maid’s room which is
reached by stairway from kitchen wnich
joins platform of main stairway. Attic
in third story.

npretentious friendly house of stone
with every window letting in sunlight
and a floor plan which considered house¬
wife’s comfort and convenience. En¬
trance is through a porch running length
of house which could serve as outdoor
summer

living room

Living room

Page Fifty-One

Hollow Tile and Stucco House, with Garage Entered from the Side

I'ouchstone House No. 46

living room view is had into dining
room and sunroom which gives
light from three directions. Space
against walls for piano or book
shelves. Rooms have been segre¬
gated in order to make housework
easy. Doorway at end of hall
opens into kitchen hall thus pre¬
venting odors of cooking reaching
main room. Entire end of kitchen
given over to sink with double
drainboards and dressers. Up¬
stairs are five bedrooms and two
baths.

O uburban or country home of
hollow tile and stucco. Fine
silhouette gained by introducing
garage at side of house. To com¬
ply with fire laws house should be
built of hollow tile and stucco or
brick. It will be best built on
corner lot with entrance from
garage entering street. Garage can
be entered from porch. From

Page Fifty- T ivo

House of Rough or Pressed Brick for Small Servantless Family

Touchstone House No. 4/

Cottage designed for small family. Pressed
or rough brick form walls. Roof of shin¬
gles stained to correspond with colored brick.
Floor plan shows practical consideration for
woman who does her own housework. First
floor -plan complete in itself so second floor
need not be completed unless desired. Kitchen
and dining room in separate wing. Icebox
to go in pantry which is supplied with sink

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and dressers for dining room
dishes. The three bedrooms
andi bath separated from front
of house by small hall. Be¬
cause of the hall angle and
window kitchen odors are
prevented from seeping into
the sleeping quarters.

Page F ifty- T hrcc

Cottage of Stone with Cement Face in which Colored Tile Could be Set

E(xposed woodwork in this house should be adzed, to make it in
perfect keeping with the stone. Front wall is of hollow tile and
stucco which gives variety of texture and a chance to introduce
color through use of tile. Terrace could be extended several feet
beyond the eaves of house and finished with a low stone parapet.
Since this is a servantless house of small dimensions, a breakfast

nook has been introduced in the
kitchen which would save the
mistress many a step. This nook
would be a convenient
place to serve the children's
lunch. Kitchen is equipped
with labor saving devices
and each article placed at
the correct height. There
two bedrooms and a
bath in the sec¬
ond story. Mod¬
ern vogue for
color can be
given full swing
in this house not
only in color of
roof, exposed woodwork

window shutters and doors but
colored tile could be set in the doors or medallions placed
in the front wall. This wall was made of cement on pur¬
pose to give variety of texture and opportunity to gain
brilliant color. Window boxes should be painted bright
colors and filled with gay flowers and placed in front
of three upper windows.

Page Fifty-Four

House and Garage with Interesting Sun Room and Sleeping Porch

Touchstone House No. 49

mce so many peo¬
ple wish to build on
a fifty foot lot, we
are showing still
another narrow
house. It is of hol¬
low tile and stucco,
roof of wood or
composition shingles.
Above the sun room
is a sleeping porch.
At the back of
kitchen is sitting

o r c h for maid.
Delivery of kitchen
supplies is Jhrough
porch near garage.
Garage is set back a
little and vine trained
over a lattice ex-
tended out from
porch, in order to
make garage doors
less conspicuous. Ce¬
ment should be niix-
ed with color to
harmonize with roof.

Page Fifty-Five

Bungalow with Large Living Room Designed for a Woman’s Comfort

Touchstone House No. 30

his house was designed especially
for a mother and d-aughter. Kitchen
is so placed that dining room can be
served from either side. Beside the
range is a dumb-waiter for con¬
venience in bringing up the wood for
the fireplace and range. Living room
designed to give picturesque setting
for grand piano. For this reason
the two little windows on each side
of the bay are high. Mother's room

—

1 — .

r -

' TDX

has individual dressing room in which
bath could be placed. Daughter’s
room on opposite side of house so that
each may have seclusion. The second
story can be left unfinished or divided
as shown by plan. Large open fire¬
place in living room and range in
kitchen are arranged to use one chim¬
ney. Careful placing of mirrors in
living room gives sense of space.

50- C>*

Fifty-Six

Touchstone House No. 51

Servantless house containing living and dining
room, kitchen, laundry, four bedrooms, hath
and sewing room beside a large hall. If these
rooms were placed on one floor the cost of con¬
struction would be greatly increased. Kitchen
is directly back of fireplace so but one chimney
is needed. It is lighted by two windows be¬
neath one of which is the sink. There is a large

pantry with much shelf space and at sink. Small
laundi*}^' next to the kitchen in which icebox is
kept. Bedrooms upstairs, compactly arranged,
?nd windows planned for purpose of ventilation.
To be built of stucco and metal lath on frame
because this is inexpensive and artistic form of
building.

Page Fifty-Seven

Buncralow of Stucco and Metal Lath on Frame for Woman Who Does Her Own Work

Touchstone House No. 52

hough this house of stucco is small it does
not look so. Combination living and dining
room gives sense of space. Bedrooms are well
separated from body of house. Bath
near kitchen to reduce cost of building.
Stairway to laundry and furnace reached
from back hall. Stairway to attic from
bedroom. Porch can be enclosed if de¬
sired. Greater apparent size gained, at
little additional cost by putting porch at
end. Stairs

great

the porch as shown in plan. Thus, a
outdoor sitting or workroom could be gained
This room could be treated as a terrace, if
preferred.

lead from it out
to garden. Can
be made attrac¬
tive by planting
a curtain o f
vines. If back
porch facing
garden is need¬
ed it would be
a simple matter
to extend it out
from the kitch¬
en to the end of

Page Fifty-Eight

Servantless House on Colonial Lines Designed for Easy House Work

Touchstone House No. 53

I louse of old Colonial lines but with modern
floor plans for a woman who does her own house¬
work. Hall is center artery of the house. Living
room and sunroom on the one side of hall with
dining room and kitchen on the opposite. Ter¬

race at the back serves as outdoor sitting room.
Chimneys of stone or brick. Upstairs are four
bedrooms and bath conveniently placed. No un¬
necessary wall space. Stairway leads from bed¬
room up to attic. Though exterior follows old
ideals, interior is modern in every respect.

Page Fifty-Nine

Bungalow with Charming Floor Plan, of Stucco on Lath

Touchstone House No. 54

Inexpensive bungalow of stucco with
charmingly arranged floor plans. In
the city a five room apartment must
be long and narrow, but in the country
rooms can be grouped more con¬
veniently as they are shown here.
Fireplace is in corner of living room
which is lighted from three directions.
Back hall leads to bedrooms and
kitchen. From it is stairway leading
to basement and also to attic. Kitchen,
scientifically planned, with sink be¬
neath window and range on inner wall
with closet for pots and kettles close
to it. There is a large storeroom and
place for icebox. A service porch
makes kitchen delivery easy. The
stucco wall can be stained cream color
and shingle roof brown or mossy
green.

Page Sixty

Log Cabin for Summer Camp or Home for Returned Soldier

Touchstone House No. 55

his house was designed for use by returned
soldiers who planned to take up government land
and wished to build their home of trees cleared
from the land. Floor plan is as for a farm¬
house, that is, it has a
large kitchen and an
extra large storage
room. Place on the
back porch for farm
helpers to wash up
before enterinig dining
room. Large woodshed
under same roof as
house for winter com¬
fort. Could be used in
summer time for serv¬
ing extra farmhands.

The living quarters of
the house are as adapt¬
able and convenient as
though planned for a
surburban village. The
room has large

large open fireplace and the kitchen is ar¬
ranged for easy housework.

living

Page Sixty-One

Small Summer Camp of Logs or Home for Returned Fighter

I'ouclistone House No. 56

i his log cabin designed for speedy erec¬
tion by men who have taken up Govern¬
ment land and wish to make a home. Can be
enlarged when desired. Living and dining
room in one. Large storage room for
winter supplies. If more space is needed
for storing seed corn and potatoes cellar
could be excavated. Logs should he peeled
and well seasoned if possible. Farmhands
can use the porch as washroom. Porch
can be extended if desired. Chimney of
stones, brick or concrete. Extra fireplace
in bedroom. Range on inner wall, using
central chimney. , Such a house serves ex¬
cellently as a nucleus for a summer camp,
that is. sleeping tents could be pitched all
about it and all furniture used in them
could he securely stored in this house dur¬
ing the winter. Kitchen is ample for use
of large family and meals could he served
out of doors under trees or kitchen porch
could he extended to accommodate large
number of diners. If house is used for
returned soldier as we hope, logs should
he chinked with concrete to make it perm¬
anent and warm. Logs can he used from
au}^ trees felled in clearing fields.

•

• •

• 0

• ®

Ptujc Sixty-'!' zoo

Touchstone Gardens

Eloise Roorbach,, Garden Editor

HE TOUCHSTONE Garden
Department will plan gardens for
Touchstone Houses or for any
other houses that require simple
designs and economical plans.
W e will also remodel old garden
plots, make suggestions for new,
yards, help you make a wild
dower garden, tell what shrubs
and flowers should be planted to

attract the birds and plan treat¬
ments for city back-yards. Since
city yards cannot always be made
to bloom luxuriantly, they must
bd designed all the more careful¬
ly. There must be some archi¬
tectural plan about them.

W^e are in a position to give
our readers free information as
to where to get the best seeds,
nursery stock, roses, trees and
garden fittings such as pergolas,
sun dials, bird baths, wall foun¬
tains, arches, seats, in fact, every¬
thing that goes into the furnish¬
ing of a garden.

If you wish advice, write to us.
If you kno\v of something beauti¬
ful, tell us about it, so tliat we
may pass on the information. All
our counsel is free to subscribers,
but if a detailed planting is re¬
quired a slight fee will be ciiarged.
We are especially interested in
])lanning children’s gardens and
city gardens.

Cour:esy ol Qorham Co

Corner

the

Toiichstone

Garden

THE

TOUCHSTONE MAGAZINE

Z_Art, cy^vsic, The Stage, Fiction, Poetry
Education, Homes, Gardens and the Crafts

w e believe that the new, great art of the future will find its expression
in America.

The object of this Magazine is to help discover and present this growth
of beauty in our own country. We want to publish a popular art magazine,
and we believe it possible, because all art should belong to all the people.

We want this Magazine cheerfully written, beautifully printed, richly
illustrated. We desire in the production of the Magazine the co-operation
of all lovers of beauty among our subscribers and our contributors; in other
words, we aim to make the Magazine so full of beauty, so simple in its
presentation so fine in its production, that it expresses the life of, and belongs
in the home of all intelligent men and women.

We want our pages to become an open forum for the best new achieve¬
ment in Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, Music, Story Telling, Poetry, the
Making of Beautiful Hom.es and Gardens, and the Development of the Crafts
— a Magazine for the rich and poor, for the busy and leisurely, for the young
and old; a Magazine that stands for beauty in the American home and for
everything fine and new in America.

MARY FANTON ROBERTS, Editor.'

$4.00 a Year 35 Cents a Copy

1 West 47th Street, New York City

^ The Touchstone ^

* A Monthly Magazine from which the plans in

this book were taken

\ RE you interested in House Plans, Garden and Servantless
Homes? Then you should be a regular reader of

The Touchstone Magazine

$4.00 per year

Editorial Forecast

For 1920 THE TOUCHSTONE will be a magazine for homemakers
and lovers of the beautiful, the best of American art, music, poetry
and fiction will appear. Illustrations will show the most progressive and
beautiful art of the season. Photographs will be used of the great painters
and singers, sculptors and musicians. Two new Touchstone Houses
will be presented each month, always designed for Beauty, Comfort,
Economy j and to Help Solve the Servant Problem. Gardens new and old,
large and small will be shown, and gardens will be planned in the
Touchstone Garden Department for the great estates and little homes.
The most brilliant fiction of the year will appear in our pages and poetry
that has essentially the American note. The Art Students Department
will be enlarged and modern ideas of homemaking and furnishing will
be given.

Mary Fanton Roberts,

Tj^REE advice given about Building,

^ Furnishing and Fitting Touchstone
Houses by the Touchstone Service
Department. - - - - -

IF you wish to have in your home as a monthly visitor a magazine
which combines high ideals with their practical application all presented
in the most beautiful possible way then you will want THE TOUCH¬
STONE — 35 cents per copy $4.00 per year.

address The Touchstone Magazipe
1 W. 47th St., New York City

Door¬
way of
Touch¬
stone
House
No. 20

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